Barclays business banking and Theo Paphitis are looking to give the nation’s local businesses a lift with a campaign to find Britain’s Best Local Business.
Retail expert and Dragons’ Den star, Theo Paphitis, has teamed up with Barclays Local Business to kick off a search for the best loved local business in the UK.
Theo joins a panel of experts in choosing which deserving businesses from up and down the country will receive a share of £85,000 worth of prizes and cash.
Firms can only be entered into the competition by their customers’ nominations – and Barclays is asking people to join in and show their support by proposing their favourite smaller companies.
By telling Barclays how the business treats them as a customer, about its contribution to the local economy and its place in the local community, consumers will be able to put forward Britain’s best local businesses to win.
Theo Paphitis said:
“Everyone has their favourite local firm. The diversity of UK small businesses is mind boggling and it’s what makes our high streets up and down the country truly unique.
“Wherever I go in the world, I set aside time to visit local shops and businesses for new ideas and inspiration and no one does it better than us. The UK has been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and we are still seeing a steady stream of committed individuals with the ideas and drive to run their own business despite challenging market conditions.”
“I want people that put their heart and soul into making their business a success and stand out from the crowd to be rewarded. I’d encourage everyone to think about the best local business they know, and nominate it for our competition.”
“But there is another great way to support the scheme, and that is by pledging your support online – this is a promise that you will support your local businesses where possible. The Sun will highlight the people who pledge their support through a ticker-tape across their website.”
Steve Cooper, Managing Director of Barclays Local Business, said: “Barclays recognises that local businesses are at the heart of our communities and they are utterly crucial to regional economies. We want to recognise their contribution to daily life and so we’ve put together a competition to highlight their great work.”
There will nine regional winners with eight of them taking home £5,000 in prize money and a one year free business support package from Barclays.
The overall winner will receive £20,000 in cash, as well as three years of free business support from Barclays.
Not only that, but the deserving winner will also benefit from a personal one to one mentoring session with Theo himself.
To make a nomination and for full competition terms and conditions go to www.barclays.co.uk/bbb.
The closing date for entries is the 6th June.
Loyal customers entering their favourite business stand to gain as well – with the best nomination for each of the 9 regional finalists winning £1000.
Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said:
Local businesses are the unsung heroes of our communities. They provide jobs for millions of workers, contribute billions to the UK economy and bring people together forming the backbone of communities across the country.
The campaign is being run in association with the Sun Newspaper.
